Entries for the Here Awards close on 30 June – so there’s still time! We’ve been surprised and delighted by entries into our third awards and we’re very much looking forward to sitting down with the rōpū to choose our shortlist. 

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The Here Awards are an expression of the kaupapa we set ourselves when we started this magazine. We look for architecture that’s clear-eyed and joyful; we want to see houses that are pure expressions of their site and their brief. We’re not very interested in trends or overt luxury, which is not to say we’ll only accept the humble. We like luxury and humility in equal measure – the connection between them is integrity of design.  

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Our categories reflect the diversity of New Zealand architecture, though all entries will be judged on a combination of novel design, sustainability and the relative difficulty of a project. You’re welcome to enter more than one category per project – and all finalists are considered for Best House Aotearoa 2023. 

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With thanks to our returning sponsors Città, Resene and Blum, and welcome to vehicle sponsor Hyundai. 

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‍New House 

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‍This award celebrates new houses in all their glory around New Zealand. From small to luxurious, the New House category prioritises novel design, purity of form and clear – though not subservient – responses to site and brief. We are looking for houses that make our cities and landscapes better – houses with spirit and a sense of place.

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Sustainability 

New for 2023! While all entries are judged on sustainability, this category recognises architecture that embeds environmental principles at its core. Houses in this category will manage both the environmental cost of the building process and a project’s long-term operational impact. 

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Small Project 

Less than a house but more than a piece of furniture, this award celebrates clever, small interventions that carry a big impact. It could be a shed, a pool house, a kitchen or an outdoor area, but it will have clarity and purity of design, and maybe even a sense of whimsy.

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Interior 

Once an unsavoury word in architecture – surely the building does the work? – the importance of interiors, of a piece with the architecture, cannot be overstated. This category is less about curtains and tiles, and more about complete environments.

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Apartment or Townhouse ‍

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As our cities grow, living more densely is becoming the norm. The apartment or townhouse category recognises the changing environments in which we live. From a perfectly executed new-build to the refit of something dated, the Apartment or Townhouse category recognises that small doesn’t mean compromised. 

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Reuse and Renovation 

The twin challenges of climate change and growing cities demand that we make the best possible use of buildings and houses that already exist. The Reuse and Renovation category celebrates clever, innovative thinking and sensitive design. We’re looking for houses that turn constraints into virtues – and have a little fun at the same time.
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Colour, Craft and Detail 

A continuing strength of architecture in Aotearoa is the focus on detail and craft, in a variety of materials. In recent years, we’ve been excited to see architects re-engaging with colour, too, after a decade or two of more muted tones. This category encourages expression of materials and personality – it is dedicated to the sheer joy of built expression.

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Best House Aotearoa 2022 

The supreme winner will capture a moment in architecture and society – and not surprisingly, it will have a point of view. It might be challenging; not everyone will like it. In a few years, we’ll look back and understand it implicitly.

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2023 Dates

June 30: Entries close

August/September: Judging

October 25: Awards announced

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How to Enter


Entry packs are available online at thisishere.nz/awards or by emailing hello@thisishere.nz

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